Preserving New Jersey’s History: Advocacy in Action

This March, during National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week with Preservation Action, Preservation New Jersey took our message to Washington, D.C., meeting with representatives from across the state to ensure New Jersey’s historic places are protected, celebrated, and supported as we approach America’s 250th anniversary.

Historic preservation is more than safeguarding buildings, it is about protecting the stories, culture, and character that define our communities. It fuels local economies, revitalizes downtowns, strengthens civic pride, and connects residents and visitors to the rich heritage that surrounds them. During Advocacy Week, our team highlighted why preservation matters not only for the past but for the present and future of New Jersey communities.

Below is a list of core priorities and matters that we advocated for:

Streamlining Preservation: “Permitting with Purpose”

One of the core issues we raised with Congress was ensuring that historic preservation reviews are efficient, transparent, and effective. New Jersey’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) manages hundreds of federal project reviews each year—from infrastructure upgrades and disaster recovery to clean energy initiatives.

We urged federal lawmakers to fund SHPOs, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and the National Park Service at levels that reflect growing workloads. Streamlined reviews, qualified staff, and the use of programmatic agreements allow projects to move forward while protecting historic resources. This approach benefits municipalities, developers, nonprofits, and state agencies alike by ensuring predictable and timely reviews without compromising preservation goals.

By advocating for these priorities, Preservation New Jersey highlighted how effective federal support directly strengthens local planning, investment, and preservation outcomes.

Investing in Communities: The Historic Preservation Fund

Another key focus was the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026. This fund is critical for maintaining and celebrating historic and cultural sites across the nation. It supports planning grants, National Register nominations, tax credit projects, and competitive grants, including African American Civil Rights Grants, Save America’s Treasures, and Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants.

For New Jersey, the HPF is transformative. It enables rehabilitation of historic downtowns, preservation of cultural landmarks, and preparation for the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations. During Advocacy Week, we urged Congress to approve $250 million for FY2027 and to support long-term reauthorization, providing stability and predictability for preservation programs across the state. This funding includes:

• $70 million for State Historic Preservation Offices
• $34 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices
• $25 million for digitization and modernization of preservation records
• $13 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities preservation programs
• $108 million for six competitive preservation grant programs

This level of funding ensures that New Jersey’s historic sites, from early colonial landmarks to cultural institutions, continue to generate economic activity, attract heritage tourism, and foster community pride.

Unlocking Opportunity: The Historic Tax Credit

The federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) has been one of the most effective tools for community revitalization in New Jersey. Vacant mills, schools, theaters, and commercial buildings have been transformed into vibrant homes, offices, and community spaces.

Preservation New Jersey encouraged lawmakers to cosponsor the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO), which would:

• Allow credits to be claimed in the year a building is placed in service
• Restore certainty and predictability for investors and lenders
• Expand opportunities for small, rural, and affordable housing projects

For New Jersey communities, these enhancements make preservation projects more financially feasible, especially in underserved neighborhoods, while unlocking opportunities for affordable housing and economic development.

Leading into America’s 250th

As the nation prepares for the Semiquincentennial, we encouraged legislators to engage directly with historic sites in their districts, join the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, and support local preservation initiatives. New Jersey played a central role in the American Revolution, and federal investment ensures that these nationally significant sites remain educational, inspirational, and economically beneficial for future generations.

Advocacy Doesn’t End in Washington

While Advocacy Week in Washington, D.C. provides an important opportunity to elevate preservation priorities with federal leaders, our work does not end when those meetings conclude. Advocacy is an ongoing effort, and the progress we seek depends on continued engagement from preservation supporters across New Jersey.

One of the first opportunities to take action is already underway. Champions in the House of Representatives are currently circulating the FY27 Dear Colleague Letter in support of the Historic Preservation Fund. The letter is being led by the co-chairs of the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM). A companion letter in the Senate is expected soon.

This bipartisan effort calls for $250 million in funding for the Historic Preservation Fund, the same level advocated for by Preservation Action and preservation organizations nationwide during National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week.

To maximize the impact of this effort, members of Congress need to hear directly from preservation advocates. The first key deadline is March 18, and your voice can make a difference.

We encourage our supporters, partners, and preservation champions across New Jersey to reach out to your Representative and urge them to sign on to the Dear Colleague Letter. Take Action – Now

Continued advocacy, at the federal, state, and local levels, is essential to ensuring that preservation remains a priority and that the historic places telling New Jersey’s story receive the support they deserve. Advocacy Week may have concluded, but the work of protecting our shared heritage continues and together, we can help move these important preservation priorities forward.